Ex Minister returns for church birthday

PUBLISHED: 13:33 30 November 2009 | UPDATED: 15:47 03 July 2010

FORMER minister Paddy McGlinchey is returning to Gorleston for the 10th birthday celebrations of Cliff Park Community Church. The church, which meets at the Junior School in Orde Avenue, was started by St Andrew's Parish Church and Gorleston Baptist Church and when it opened in December 1999 it was billed as "a new church for a new millennium".

FORMER minister Paddy McGlinchey is returning to Gorleston for the 10th birthday celebrations of Cliff Park Community Church. The church, which meets at the Junior School in Orde Avenue, was started by St Andrew's Parish Church and Gorleston Baptist Church and when it opened in December 1999 it was billed as “a new church for a new millennium”.

The church started with good numbers and has continued to grow, with people enjoying the more relaxed style of worship, led by the large band, in a school hall. There's also a wide range of groups and activities for youngsters, from the creche through to teenagers, which has also proved an attraction.

Paddy, who now teaches theology in Dublin, was the associate minister at St Andrew's and lived on the Cliff Park Estate. He worked closely with the Rev Richard Hughes, who was then minister at the Baptist Church and a core team of 30 people drawn from each church. Many of those are still actively involved.

Richard, who moved to a church in the Midlands, is also returning for the weekend. He will speak tomorrow night at a buffet party at which the Junior Section of the award-winning Great Yarmouth Brass will perform, and play Happy Birthday!

Paddy McGlinchey will speak at Sunday morning's celebration service at 10.30 a.m. Joining him will be his wife, Helen, who started the Kidz Church club in 1999, the Vicar of Gorleston Tony Ward and the present Cliff Park Minister, Mike Simm.

While the church remains firmly planted at the Junior School, it is taking over Gorleston Pavilion Theatre in two weeks for the annual carol service. This will be a café-style event with coffee and mince pies served throughout the service, which starts at 10.30am on December 20.

For more information about the birthday or Christmas services, contact the minister Mike Simm, on 01493 667914 or the website www.cpcc.org.uk